ZIN- TECHNOLOGIES - Key Persons


Brian Finley

Job Titles:
  • Senior Vice President Operations
Brian Finley has over 30 years' experience in development and management for the Aerospace Industry. Mr. Finley has been involved in all phases of space hardware development including system concept definition, software development, hardware design, verification testing, and mission support. Mr. Finley's extensive experience includes managing several large contracts and projects for NASA Glenn Research Center. Mr. Finley is responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of contracts that design, build and operate microgravity payloads on the International Space Station with organization such as the NASA Glenn Research Center, NASA Johnson Space Center and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) as well as related work with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Brian S. Shaft

Job Titles:
  • Vice President Finance
Brian Shaft has over 25 years of experience in areas of business finance and operations in both governmental and commercial industries including over 10 years of experience in PCB manufacturing. His experience includes Mergers & Acquisitions, LEAN manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Change Management. Brian focused on planning, risk management, strategic investment for growth and improving working capital while implementing process improvement and supporting export compliance for private and public multinational companies. At ZIN, Brian oversees financial management and funding of investments. Mr. Shaft earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from The University of Akron and a Master of Business Administration, Executive Management from Baldwin Wallace College.

Carlos M. Grodsinsky

Job Titles:
  • Chief Operating Officer and Sr. Vice President of Technology
Carlos Grodsinsky's progressive leadership experience includes IR&D, R&D and product development expertise in active/passive vibration control, radiation detection and space flight instrumentation. Dr. Grodsinsky has managed large programs and product development initiatives within the government and industry. Dr. Grodsinsky leads ZIN's operations and strategic growth as the Chief Operating Officer. Most recently, he is leading the Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Council as its chairmen and is a member of the State's legislative Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Technology Committee.

Daryl Z. Laisure - CEO, President

Job Titles:
  • CEO
  • President
Mr. Daryl Laisure has over 25 years of experience in operations and management in aerospace and NASA programs. Mr. Laisure, along with his father, Zin Laisure, acquired ZIN Technologies (formerly known as ADF) in 1993. Previous to the acquisition Daryl worked as a contracts manager for Sverdrup Technologies and DOD. Mr. Laisure was initially Vice President of Operations for ZIN and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer and President in 1999. Mr. Laisure obtained his MBA from Baldwin Wallace College, Cleveland, OH and he received his BS in Finance from the University of Cincinnati. He is a board member of Greater Cleveland Partnership, The Presidents Council, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Cleveland Alumni Chapter.

Denise Benning-Ybarra

Job Titles:
  • Vice President Administration
Denise Benning-Ybarra has over 30 years of experience in Management, Finance and Human Resources in both government contracting and commercial industries. Denise is the head of ZIN's administrative support departments including human resources, facility, office services and corporate communication. She is ZIN's EEOC compliance officer. Ms. Ybarra earned her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from St. Mary's College of California. She is a SHRM-Certified Professional. Ms. Ybarra is an active member of many professional and charitable organizations, including NAPW, We Are Cleveland, TRUE2UMentor Program and Blue Star Mothers of America.

Michael Johanson

Job Titles:
  • Senior Vice President Corporate Business Development & Strategic Planning
Michael Johanson has over 28 years of experience in engineering, operations, project and program management, strategy, partnership and business development. His experience includes work at McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, Northrop Grumman and several other small business leaders in support of multiple NASA and DoD customers. Mr. Johanson has a proven track record in product life-cycle development from concept definition, design, development, and fabrication to system assembly, integration, test, launch, operations and return. His program and project management experience includes efforts in support of domestic and international launch and transport vehicles, on-orbit carriers, microgravity science payloads and the NASA operations centers. Mr. Johanson serves as Co-Chairman of Ohio Aerospace Day in support of the State's legislative Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Technology Committee.

Robert Yarber

Job Titles:
  • Director of Contracts, Procurement, Property
Robert Yarber has over 20 years of experience in managing contracts and supply chain management (SCM). His experience includes Sales Operations and Planning (S&OP) leadership at the PolyOne Corporation, North American Indirect spend strategy at the Eaton Corporation and various SCM roles at Sikorsky Aircraft. Robert was also the sole proprietor of New England Chemicals, a chemical distribution company servicing the automotive industry in Connecticut and Ohio. Mr. Yarber is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from Connecticut State University.